Details
Antigone canadensis
The sandhill crane is a large crane of North American wetlands and grasslands. Diurnal birds migrate and winter in large herds.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses marshes, grasslands, shallow lakes, and farmland. Wet nesting sites and open feeding areas during migration and winter are important.
Wingspan is about 165-230 cm and weight about 3-6.5 kg. Gray plumage, a red forehead, long neck, and long legs are typical; the neck is extended in flight.
Active by day, it feeds in flocks and migrates in large formations. Pairs perform dancing displays and loud duets.
It is omnivorous, eating grain, seeds, roots, insects, and small animals. It probes and pecks while walking through wetlands and fields.
Pairs build plant nests in wetlands and defend eggs and chicks. The young are precocial and walk with their parents.
Its status is listed as Least Concern. Local populations depend on protected wetlands and reliable stopover sites.
